Dixon, California • October 22–24, 2026
“California Dreaming Again”: the 42nd Gordon Setter Club of America National Specialty runs October 22–24 — Thursday in Davis, the national Friday in Dixon, a concurrent specialty Saturday, and all-breed shows all weekend at the Dixon May Fairgrounds.
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What is the Gordon Setter National Specialty 2026?
The Gordon Setter Club of America holds its 42nd National Specialty October 22–24, 2026 — “California Dreaming Again” — across two towns. Thursday's events (sweepstakes and veteran sweepstakes, CGC and Trick Dog tests, senior handling, judges' education, a UC Davis veterinary behaviorist lecture, and the welcome party) run at the host hotel, the Prodigy in Davis. Friday moves to the Dixon May Fairgrounds for obedience, rally, the 4–6 puppy competition, Junior Showmanship and Pee-Wee, and the national specialty conformation judging (Phil Booth, 58 dogs), closing with the membership meeting and awards banquet. Saturday at Dixon brings the Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club concurrent specialty (Britt Jung, 54 dogs) — running alongside the Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association all-breed shows Saturday and Sunday — and Sunday offers the GSCA hunt test at Quail Point Hunt Club in Zamora.
At a glance
- Where: The Prodigy Hotel, Davis, CA (Thu) · Dixon May Fairgrounds, 655 S First St, Dixon, CA (Fri–Sat)
- When: Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Entries: Closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon PDT
- Superintendent: BaRay Event Services, Inc.
- Host club: Gordon Setter Club of America
- Host hotel: The Prodigy, Davis — King $84 / Double Queen $93 + tax, $75 pet fee
- Bonus: SVDFA all-breed shows Sat–Sun + GSCA hunt test Sunday
The week, day by day
The schedule builds through the week toward the final judging:
- Thu, Oct 22 — Davis — sweepstakes, CGC/Trick Dog, judges' education, a UC Davis behaviorist lecture, and the welcome party
- Fri, Oct 23 — Dixon — obedience, rally, 4–6 puppy, juniors and Pee-Wee, the national specialty (58 Gordons), and the awards banquet
- Sat, Oct 24 — Dixon — Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club concurrent specialty, plus the Sacramento Valley all-breed show
- Sun, Oct 25 — Dixon — SVDFA all-breed show; GSCA hunt test at Quail Point Hunt Club, Zamora
Who’s judging
The verified judging panel for 2026:
- Friday, Oct 23 (national specialty, juniors & Pee-Wee): Phil Booth
- Thursday sweepstakes: Carolyn Gold
- Friday obedience & rally: Lora Cox
- 4–6 puppy, CGC & Trick Dog: Denise Paquette
- Saturday concurrent specialty: Britt Jung (sweepstakes: Cindy Stanford)
- SVDFA all-breed (Sat / Sun): Richard Lewis / Stephanie Kaul
Can you still enter?
Entries are closed. They closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon PDT through superintendent BaRay Event Services, Inc., so the entered dogs are set.
Spectators are welcome at the Dixon May Fairgrounds — and if you were planning to enter, a free ThePetAdvisor account keeps next year's closing date on your radar so you never miss one again.
Planning your visit
The host hotel is The Prodigy in Davis — Thursday's venue, about 15 minutes from the fairgrounds (King $84 / Double Queen $93 + tax, $75 flat pet fee per room per stay, 2-dog max). Friday and Saturday run outdoors at the Dixon May Fairgrounds, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Flying in? Sacramento (SMF) is 19 miles from the host hotel; Oakland (OAK) 79; San Francisco (SFO) 86. The on-call vet is UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 530-752-1393.
See the full show page for the day-by-day schedule, the verified judge list, and the official premium list and judging program.
Why go
The national specialty is the one week of the year when the Gordon Setter world gathers in one place — and this one doubles as a weekend: the Sacramento Valley all-breed shows run at the same fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, so there's top-level competition beyond the breed rings too.
Friday's national — 58 Gordons under Phil Booth — plus the hunting class (a specialty staple), the AKC National Owner-Handled Series, points for Reserve (a 3-point major), and Sunday's hunt test for the field side of the breed: if you love Gordon Setters, there is no better weekend on the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Gordon Setter National Specialty 2026?
October 22–24, 2026 — Thursday's events at the Prodigy Hotel in Davis, California (4100 Chiles Rd), and the national specialty Friday plus the concurrent specialty Saturday at the Dixon May Fairgrounds (655 S First St, Dixon, CA), hosted by the Gordon Setter Club of America.
Can I still enter the 2026 Gordon Setter National Specialty?
No — entries closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon PDT through superintendent BaRay Event Services, Inc. The entered dogs are already set; the weekend is open to Gordon Setter fans who want to watch.
Who is judging the 2026 Gordon Setter National Specialty?
Phil Booth judges the national specialty conformation, Junior Showmanship, and Pee-Wee on Friday, October 23 (58 dogs). Carolyn Gold judges Thursday's sweepstakes; Lora Cox judges obedience and rally; Britt Jung judges Saturday's Golden Gate concurrent specialty.
What happens each day at the Gordon Setter National Specialty?
Thursday, October 22 (Davis): sweepstakes, CGC/Trick Dog, judges' education, and the welcome party. Friday, October 23 (Dixon): obedience, rally, 4–6 puppy, juniors, the national specialty, and the awards banquet. Saturday, October 24 (Dixon): the Golden Gate concurrent specialty plus the Sacramento Valley all-breed show. Sunday, October 25: the SVDFA all-breed show and the GSCA hunt test.
Where should I stay for the Gordon Setter National Specialty?
The host hotel is the Prodigy in Davis — King $84 / Double Queen $93 + tax, $75 flat pet fee per room per stay, 2-dog max. Friday and Saturday are at the Dixon May Fairgrounds, about 15 minutes away.
What all-breed shows run alongside the national?
The Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association all-breed shows run at the Dixon May Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 24 (Richard Lewis) and Sunday, October 25 (Stephanie Kaul) — separate premiums.
Planning your show season?
Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs, plan your weekends, and never miss a closing date.